Mayor pressing to keep poker tourney downtown

Thursday, March 4, 2004 | 11:13 a.m.

Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman said he wants the World Series of Poker to stay in Downtown Las Vegas, and to prove the point he and council recessed Wednesday's City Council meeting until 9 a.m. Friday to consider a request to transfer the Binion's Horseshoe tavern and gaming license to MTR Gaming Group, the buyer of the property.

Harrah's Entertainment, Inc., which is buying the WSOP and the Horseshoe brand name from Becky Binion Behnen, at some point plans to move the poker tournament, the world's biggest and most prestigious, to a different Harrah's property, Goodman said he was told during the council break Wednesday.

"I want the Horseshoe to thrive as I honest-to-goodness believe all downtown casinos will thrive," Goodman said. But, he said, the World Series of Poker is a "hill to die for," at least through the Las Vegas Centennial celebration year of 2005. It's an integral part of downtown, he said.

Goodman said that he received no commitment that would happen, and "that's why I gave them until Friday morning."

But industry insiders said Goodman is grandstanding because there's no law allowing the city to force a casino to have a poker tournament as a condition of a city tavern and gaming license.

Goodman acknowledged the city action could affect the chances of 900 workers returning to work at the Horseshoe, "but I used to be a poker player myself. It's up to them whether they want to raise or call."

MTR lawyer Michael Alonso said he hopes city officials consider the effect of their actions.

"I hope the city of Las Vegas does the right things to get approvals in place to allow Harrah's and MTR to reopen the property, rehire 900 employees and get a landmark casino open," Alonso said.

Harrah's executives were not available to comment on Goodman's actions and comments.